Went and bought 3 , of the 10 foot 1x6 to make up a handful of mink boxes…I was re-reading my copy of Jim Spencers book “ the mink manual “ Jim said to use 1x6 . to my surprise, the boards are about 1/2 inch shy to make a decent, simple box.made do with what I had but dang,, I don’t really like plywood boxes because the blasted squirrels chew the daylight out of it.
I guess the boards shrunk since Jim wrote it in the early 90s.
Guess I’ll have to get some 1x8 next time..

All dressed lumber dimensions are about 1/2" less than stated dimensions. Always have been during my adult life.

Example: 2x4 is 1.5x3.5

Yep, found the same issues...went bigger and had to cut a bit more but was satisfied. Be sure to leave a bit more space in your openings
in case you switch to #155 traps. Mink will ROCK in 2027! At least I hope so.....lol

Use welded wire screening instead. All four sides, sort of like a cage trap with slots for your coni's springs.......jk

One by material is always 1/4” shy in thickness and 1/2” shy in width.

Two by material is always 1/2” shy in thickness and 1/2” shy in width.

It’s been that way for at least 60 years. Plan accordingly.

I one time bought some cedar 2X4's at a small mill and they were a true 4". Threw me for a loop!

Here, the Amish cut true dimensions, but that is green.

Geeezzzz fox..... first cars now lumber?
You do know what side of the screw goes in the board?

Many many years it's been that way

googlers metric yard stick needs recalibrated.

Used to only a 1/4" off, but the dimensions were changed to extend the timber. Get like an extra board per log. My house was built in '39 and the studs are all a full 2" by 3 1/2.

I can’t take the blame on this one!! Jim Spencer said 1x6,,, I went with his advice.

1x has been 3/4 my whole life. X6 has been x5_1/2 my whole life. If you want true 1" thickness, you need to order 5/4. Weird but true.

I’m gonna get strange looks tomorrow night at Home Depot,, I’ll be trying to construct little boxes out of 1x8 and seeing how a 120 fits,,,

Those will be 3/4 by 7 1/2.

I take it you've never done much of anything with your hands
Like normal repairs around the house

I used some salvaged crates for the sub-roof on my barn. Lumber was Metric dimension from Canada, and was a full 1".